Site Event/Activity record ESF19714 - Boulter S, SCCAS evaluation 2006/125

DBN 124 An extensive programme of refurbishment to the standing building included below ground disturbance to archaeological deposits. A trenched evaluation and subsequent monitoring facilitated the full recording of all exposed archaeological features. The earliest securely dated features were two pits recorded in one of the evaluation trenches excavated to the east of standing building. Ceramic evidence recovered from their fills suggested a medieval date, although accompanying tile/brick may have been later. Two flint and mortar walls seen to the north of the standing building, but on a slightly different alignment, were also consistent with a medieval date. Considerable evidence was also recorded for structures relating to the 16th century, Tudor, phase of the hall. This included wall stubs proving that east and south range had originally been present along with a similar range of rooms to the south of the gatehouse that mirrored the extant structure to the north. There was also evidence proving that the original gatehouse had been a discrete square structure and the flanking rooms to the north and south were a secondary construction, although possibly undertaken not long after the initial phase. Wall stubs recorded north of the surviving north range confirm the presence of contemporary structures on the north-west corner of the moated platform. Later structures (mostly 19th century) included sections of moat revetment wall, two soakaways, drains, a chimney base and chambers and chutes for an outside lavatory, the latter known from the early OS maps. Project status: Complete Yes, Validated Yes Previous/Future Work: Previous Not known, Future Yes Associated Identifiers: NMR No. 1448957 Project Type: Field evaluation Methods and Techniques: Measured Survey, Photographic Survey, Sample Trenches, Survey/Recording Of Fabric/Structure, Targeted Trenches, Visual Inspection Reason for Investigation: Direction from Local Planning Authority - PPG16 Site status: Listed Building Current Land use: Other 2 - In use as a building Monument Type(s)/Period(s): HALL HOUSE Post Medieval PROJECT LOCATION Area 3250.00 Square metres Grid Reference: TM1925562811 Point Height 56.50 - 56.60 metres PROJECT CREATOR(S) Brief originator: Local Authority Archaeologist and/or Planning Authority/advisory body Design originator: R Carr Director/Manager: Stuart Boulter Supervisor: Stuart Boulter DIGITAL ARCHIVE Recipient: Suffolk County SMR ID: DBN 124 Contents: Survey Media: Database, Images raster / digital photography, Spreadsheets, Survey, Text PAPER ARCHIVE Recipient: Suffolk County SMR ID: DBN 124 Contents: Stratigraphic Media: Context sheet, Correspondence, Drawing, Map, Photograph, Plan, Report, Section, Unpublished Text BIBLIOGRAPHY Publication Type: Grey literature (unpublished document/manuscript) Title: Crows Hall, Debenham (DBN 124);Record of an Archaeological Evaluation and Monitoring Author(s)/Editor(s): Boulter, S. Other Bibliographic Details: SCCAS Rpt. No. 2006/125 Date: 2008 Issuer/Publisher: Suffolk County Council Place of Issue or Publication: Ipswich Description: Unbound A4 document